We kick off proceedings with a listed contest over 14 furlongs from York (14:20) and although Rawaki and First Mohican look to have the best form in the book, it might pay to side with the thriving Clever Cookie. He's won seven of his last ten starts and including three times over hurdles during the winter; so far in the flat season he made a successful debut in a 12-furlong maiden at Doncaster before winning a ten-furlong handicap here at the Dante meeting with some authority. He looked to have plenty in hand on that occasion and given it was a competitive affair he's more than earned a crack at this level. He's clearly thriving and enjoying his racing currently and despite others having more conventional claims, there'll be few who turn up in stronger condition.
The Group 3 Timeform Jury Stakes over seven furlongs at Haydock (14:40) is the next contest under consideration and the one to keep on side looks to be Garswood. He won a Group 2 at Goodwood last season before rounding off his 2013 campaign with an excellent third in the Group 1 Prix de La Foret at Longchamp in October. The race didn't really pan out for him in his seasonal reappearance at Sandown, and the drop back to seven furlongs with some cut in the ground means conditions look to be at an optimum for a return to form. Providing he's a bit sharper for his reappearance and he's in the right frame of mind this looks less competitive company than he's been racing in of late and it would be no surprise to see him record a comfortable victory.
We head to Newmarket's July course for our final bet of the day, which comes in a red-hot handicap over a mile-and-a-half (15:35) with the vote going to the progressive Rye House. He hasn't appeared the easiest to train but he's got two victories to his name and shaped with real promise after a year off at York's Dante meeting last time. He was gelded prior to that run and kept on strongly after he'd found himself a little short of room a furlong out. Despite being a six-year old he remains lightly raced and capable of significant further improvement, with the step back up in trip unlikely to pose a problem and the distinct possibility it might see him to even better effect. It looks a fiercely competitive contest and the progressive Mighty Yar heads a long list of contenders who merit respect, but if the selection can build on his last run he should be right in the mix.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Clever Cookie in the 14:20 at York
Back Garswood in the 14:40 at Haydock
Back Rye House in the 15:35 at Newmarket
